zero thomas collection - national park service · catalog number goga 35356 (accession number...

Zero Thomas Collection

GOGA 35356

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

ATTN: Park Archives and Records Center

Building 201, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

[Mailing Address]

Park Archives and Records Center

Presidio of San Francisco

Building 667 McDowell Ave.


[Physical Address]

www.nps.gov/goga/historyculture

Phone: 415-561-2807

Fax: 415-441-1618

Susan Ewing Haley, Park Archivist

2

Introduction


Park Description

Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), a unit of the National Park Service, was

established by an Act of Congress on October 27, 1972. The 80,000-acre park encompasses a

great diversity of cultural and natural resources in and around the Bay Area of San Francisco,

California. It includes Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site.

The park holds almost five million three-dimensional and documentary artifacts dating from the

time before European contact to the present. They are preserved and maintained for the public

by the Division of Cultural Resources and Museum Management, which includes the Park

Archives and Records Center (PARC).

Park Archives and Records Center (PARC)

Historical Note

GGNRA and the sites within it have been collecting records since their inception. The PARC

was established in 1994 to receive records and archival collections from the U.S. Army and the

Presidio Army Museum after the closure of the Presidio of San Francisco as an Army base. The

collections continue to grow through the donation of materials by private individuals, transfer of

inactive park records by staff, and acquisition of relevant documentary materials.

Scope of Collections

The archival collections in the custody of the GGNRA document the history and activity of the

various sites and groups associated with the park, described in the park’s Scope of Collection

Statement (2009).

The PARC contains U.S. Army and National Park Service facility records for the Presidio of San

Francisco, forts and coast defense sites in the area, and various GGNRA sites. Subjects and sites

documented include the United States Army (Bear Flag Revolt, Civil War, Spanish-American

War, Mexican War, World War I, Army Air Service, Coast Artillery, Army medical facilities

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and issues, World War II, Army support during natural disasters, Viet Nam War, and Operation

Desert Storm); Alcatraz Island (Army fortress, Army Disciplinary Barracks, U.S. Penitentiary,

and Indian Occupation); the natural resources conservation movement resulting in the

establishment of Muir Woods National Monument; agriculture in the Marin Headlands; Point

Reyes Peninsula and Bolinas Lagoon areas; U.S. Lifesaving/Coast Guard Services; San

Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906; Panama Pacific International Exposition of 1915; natural

resources and environmental issues; and preservation of open space in the Bay Area. Also

included in the PARC are many of the GGNRA administrative records that document the

development and expansion of this park.

Visiting the PARC for Research

The PARC is located in an historic brick building, formerly a cavalry stable, on the Presidio of

San Francisco. Collections and archives support services are available for walk-in research

during open hours or by appointment. Please contact the PARC (see below) for the current

schedule of reference hours.

Copy Services

Black and white photocopy services for standard and oversize materials are available on-site.

Color photocopying, photographic duplication, and duplication of other media are available by

special arrangement. Researchers are charged for all duplicates on a cost-recovery basis.

Rights and Publications

Copies are provided under the Fair Use provisions of the Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Researchers must complete a Permission to Publish Contract form with the Park Archivist for

any other intended use of these materials (such as publication or exhibit). Researchers should

consult with staff regarding their needs for commercial or public use of materials.

Legal Status of Holdings

Many holdings of the PARC were acquired/transferred prior to the establishment of the archives

program, and have little documentation on their provenance (source/chain of custody). All

materials received after 1994 have been accessioned and documented. If provenance cannot be

determined, the PARC assumes that it owns the property rights, but does not own the copyright.

Staff will provide assistance, but it is the responsibility of the researcher to acquire permission

from the copyright holder to cite, quote, or reproduce collection materials.

Collections developed by or for government organizations or operations are in the public domain

and may be used, cited, and quoted without restriction, provided they are properly credited to the

PARC. The archives contain no national security classified materials.

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Donations to the Collections

The PARC welcomes donations of a variety of historic materials that meet the criteria in the

Scope of Collections Statement and do not duplicate existing holdings. Collections are

maintained for research use in perpetuity; there is no guarantee that items will be exhibited. If

you own materials that may be relevant to the themes of GGNRA and would like to deposit them

in the PARC, please consult with an archivist.

How to Use This Finding Aid

This document contains information on the contents and significance of an archival collection. It

includes descriptive information; repository information; collection history; biographical or

historical information on creators of the collection; and a container or folder list of everything in

the collection. After reviewing the finding aid, please discuss your specific needs with the

archivist who will locate and retrieve the relevant materials.

How to Use the Collections

Please follow all rules and regulations regarding research, the use of the research facility, and the

handling of collection materials. This will protect the collections so they continue to be available

and usable for generations to come. If anything appears to be out of order or damaged, please

notify a staff member.

Contacts

For additional information on the use of archival collections at GGNRA, please contact the Park

Archives and Records Center:

Mailing Address:

National Park Service


Attn: Park Archives and Records Center

Fort Mason, Bldg. 201


Physical Address:

Park Archives and Records Center

Presidio of San Francisco

Building 667 McDowell Avenue


Phone: (415) 561-2807

Fax: (415) 441-1618

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Title


Dates

Inclusive: 1867-1993

Bulk: 1867-1911

Collection Number

Catalog Number GOGA 35356 (Accession Number GOGA-2323, GOGA-2471, GOGA-

2472, GOGA-2473)

Provenance

The papers were found by Nor-Cal Waste Co. employee, Mr. Gary Keep, after papers

were deposited in the public landfill. The collected papers were found in a material box

which protected them from environmental

damage. Seeing the Presidio address on the

letters, Mr. Keep decided to offer them to the

National Park Service Park Archives. They

were received in 1995. Nor-Cal Waste Co.

prepared a brief story on the collection and

another historical item was found in the

public landfill (that object was originally

donated to SAFR). The article was sent with the monthly newsletter and billing. From

there, the story was picked-up by the San Francisco Chronicle in February 1997. After

the Chronicle article appeared, the Park Archives received phone calls from several

persons claiming to be descendents of Zero Thomas. Two separate family members

visited the Park Archives to view the papers, and each brought additional family papers

which were either loaned to the Archives for copying or copied during the visit with the

intention of incorporating them into the collection

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Volume

One hundred and seventeen (117) items.

.6 LF

Description

The Zero Thomas Collection is comprised of personal correspondence, documents, and

photographs pertaining to Zero Thomas and his family. The collection consists of family

letters, holographs with envelopes and philately intact, family records including the

marriage license from his wedding in the post chapel, family photographs, and local

business letters/records.

History

Zero Thomas was originally born in Jamaica. He lived in Alexandria, Virginia in

the immediate years following the American Civil War. Zero’s legal status during the

antebellum period is unclear; however, it seems that he and his family were free for

sometime before the outbreak of the Civil War. In addition, Zero, his father Brightwill,

and Zero’s wife Clara, were all educated and wrote well. Around 1867, Zero moved to

Baltimore, Maryland, while Clara stayed in Alexandria. Zero worked in Baltimore for

long stretches of time, rarely getting the chance to visit Alexandria. The couple had their

first and only son in 1869. Clara frequently wrote about the baby’s condition and welfare.

Two years later, in 1871, Clara died at the age of 18. Zero took his son and moved to San

Francisco sometime between late 1871 and early 1872. Zero got a position as the cook in

the home of Captain H.H. Hasbrouck in the Presidio of San Francisco and worked there

for the next seven years.

Zero Joined the First Colored Baptist Church (later the Third Baptist Church) in March of

1871. He served as both a trustee and as the possessor of the church’s mortgage and

various legal papers, spanning from 1872-1900. In 1878, Zero participated in the Mutual

Relief Association of Petaluma, which called for

annual donations to be distributed to members’

families in the even of a death in the family.

Zero was also a founding member of the Afro-

American Co-operative Association which was based

in San Francisco and was dedicated to improving the

financial resources of the black community. Zero was

not only one of the top shareholders, but he was also a

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director and encouraged one of his sons, Zero Jr., to join as well.

In 1876, Zero married Winnie Corbin, a friend from Alexandria who came to California

as a children’s nurse to a white family. Zero and Winnie’s first three children were born

in a three year span: Daniel, born in July, 1877; Emma, born in January 1879 (died three

years later); and Zero Jr., born July 1880.

At this point, Zero had left Hasbrouck’s employment and began a ten year employment

working for the U.S. government. Zero was a cook with the deputy surveyor and then

went on to work for the U.S. Geological Survey. During that time, he lived where the

work assigned him, moving between Gardier, Oregon; Mendocino, California; and

Modesto, California. Zero also bought a house for his family during this period on 2734

Greenwhich street near Broderick. The couple had three more children while living there:

Samuel, born July, 1883 (died January 1884); Mabel, born March 1884; and Minnie, born

August, 1886. In 1886, Zero settled back in San Francisco, although he would be looking

for work as late as 1905, at the age of 66. By that point, his oldest son James and his wife

were living in Denver and his youngest living son, Zero Jr. became a pharmacist,

possibly the first African-American pharmacist in San Francisco.

In 1898, The San Francisco Examiner reported an incident between Zero’s second oldest

son Daniel and a group of Tennessee volunteers. The mob of angry volunteers forced

entry into the Thomas home, angry at the fact that Daniel had beaten one of the

Volunteers in a fight and then attempted to lynch Daniel. A section from the Tennessee

Regiment intervened in time, but Zero threatened to sue the city.

There is no record in the collection that shows of Zero Thomas’s death or burial location.

Preferred Citation

“Golden Gate NRA, Park Archives, Zero Thomas Collection, GOGA 35356”

Index

Hasbrouck, Captain H.C.

Thomas, Zero

African-American Baptists

African American history

Afro-American League of San Francisco

Family—History.

First Colored Baptist Church of San Francisco (San Francisco,Calif.)

Presidio of San Francisco (San Francisco, Calif.)

Presidio of San Francisco (San Francisco, Calif.)—History

8

Presidio of San Francisco (San Francisco, Calif.)—Race relations

San Francisco (Calif.)—1870-1880




Formats

Paper.

Photographs.

Processing Information

Processed by Sara Hay,

Completed in July 2010

Re-Cataloged by Terryn Liljedahl

Completed in July 2012

Re-Cataloged by Terryn Liljedahl

Completed in August 2012

Series Description

Series I: Photographs

Volume: 1 folder

Arrangement: no arrangement

Formats: Photographic prints.

Condition: The photographs are in fair condition. Some of the photographs have

tears and are discoloring.

Description: This series consists of photographs that were found inside of a tin box prior

to donation. Photographs are not labeled however, they are assumed to be of Thomas

family members.

Series II: Correspondence

9

Volume: 6 folders

Arrangement: Chronological

Formats: Paper

Condition: The correspondence are in fair condition. There are some that are frayed,

discolored, and torn. The correspondence are in archival plastic sleeves.

Description: This series contains letters to Zero Thomas dated between 1867 and 1911.

Most of the letters are postmarked from Virginia and San Francisco. An additional two

pieces have been included in this series that involve later family members. The last piece

of these is dated August, 1949.

Series III: Personal Papers

Volume: 2 folders and 1 O.S. folder.


Formats: Paper.

Condition: The personal papers are in fair condition. Some paper is frayed,

discolored, and torn. Most of the personal papers are in archival plastic sleeves.

Description: This series contains personal papers of Zero Thomas. This includes legal

correspondence, mortgage papers involving the house on Greenwhich street, a copy of

Zero’s general ledger with entries for special events, diary entries, and family births and

deaths with most items being entered in the 1880s and 1890s and Zero Thomas’s

marriage license from his marriage to Minnie Corbin, July 1876.

Series IV: Family Papers

Volume: 2 folders


Formats: Paper.

Condition: The family papers are in fair to good condition. Some paper is frayed,

discolored, and torn but overall in complete condition.

Description: This series contains papers pertaining to the Thomas family. This includes

legal papers of other family members, such as the death certificate of Zero’s son Daniel,

certificate of promotions for his daughters Minnie and Mapel, a family tree chart, and

other documents about the extended Zero Thomas family.

10

Series V: Church Papers

Volume: 1 folder.


Formats: Paper.

Condition: The church papers are in fair condition. Some paper is frayed, discolored,

and with what seems like water damage but overall the church papers are readable and

are fair.

Description: This series contains documents involving the First Colored Baptist

Church, (later, the Third Baptist Church). Mainly, these are mortgage papers, indentures

to banks and individuals, and receipts for various jobs such as painting and cash

collection. The papers date from 1872 to 1900.

Series VI: Miscellaneous Papers

Volume: 2 folders


Formats: Paper.

Condition: Some papers are discolored and have a little wear and tear but overall this

series of miscellaneous papers are in good condition.

Description: This series contains papers that are not in content with the other series. It

includes Afro-American League documents, one photocopy of a newspaper article from

the San Francisco Chronicle of the discovery of the Zero Thomas Collection, one New

Bayview newspaper from 1993, and a photocopy news article from the San Francisco

Examiner about the mobbing of Zero’s son Daniel by the Tennessee regiment near the

presidio in 1898.

Series VII: Oral History

Volume: 2 folders

Arrangement: no arrangement

Formats: Paper.

Condition: The oral history transcripts are in excellent condition.

Description: This series contains oral history transcripts of interviews with Lillian

Raymond, Minnie Thomas’s daughter from 1978 and Alma Brooks, Daniel Thomas’s

daughter. Both interviews were conducted by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library

and the San Francisco African-American Historical and Cultural Society, 1978.

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Box and Folder List

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Collection Title: Zero Thomas Collection

Collection Number: GOGA 35356

Box

#

Folder

#

Description

1 1 Series I: Photographs

One (1) 7” x 10.5” photograph of Zero Thomas.

One (1) 10” x 7” photograph of the Longfellow School class of

1938.

One (1) 5” x 11” photograph of junior high or high school class.

One (1) 4” x 6.5” photograph on cardboard of a young boy with a

parrot. On the bottom there is printing with an address of where

this photo was taken: “Cor. Market & Fourth Sts. San

Francisco.” and the word “Bowe” on the bottom center of it.

One (1) 6.5” x 4” photograph of a class group shot.

One (1) 4.5” x 3” photograph of two women standing in front of a

house.

One (1) 3.5” x 5.5” photographic portrait of an African-American

women.

2 Series II: Correspondence

Correspondence from Clara Thomas to Zero Thomas, June 7, no

year.

Correspondence from Clara Thomas to Zero Thomas, June 24, no

year.

Correspondence from Clara Thomas to Zero Thomas, July 8, no

year.

Correspondence from Rachel Corbin, October 4, no year.

postcard from Aunt Maybelle to Herbert Thomas, December 30,

no year but assumed stamp post-1915.

envelope to Zero Thomas, May 5, no year.

envelope to Zero Thomas, February 1, no year.

envelope to Zero Thomas, December 30, no year.

Correspondence from Joseph Marshall to “brother”, July 26,

1867.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, March 3,

1868

Correspondence form Robert Nelson to Zero Thomas, September

13

25, 1869.

3 Correspondence from Winnie Corbin to Zero Thomas, October 2,

1869.

envelope from Addlena Allen to Zero Thomas, September 27,

1871.

Correspondence from Zero Thomas to Addlena Allen, January 31,

1872.

Correspondence from Mary Bell to Zero Thomas, April 27, 1873.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, June 4,

1873.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, October 28,

1873.

Correspondence from Zero Thomas to “father”, August 26, 1874.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, August 31,

1874.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, September

28, 1874.

Correspondence from Mary Bell to Zero Thomas, January 19,

1875.

4 Correspondence from Mary Bell to Zero Thomas, March 20,

1875.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, April 27,

1875.

Correspondence from Mary Bell to Zero Thomas, August 16,

1875.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, October 4,

1875.

Correspondence from Mary Bell to Zero Thomas, November 5,

1875.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, December

4, 1875.

Correspondence from Brightwill Pines, Zero’s father, to Zero

Thomas, April 24, 1876.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, May 5,

1876.

Correspondence from John Banks to Zero Thomas, May 8, 1876.

Correspondence from Alfred Coleman to Zero Thomas, May 10,

1876.

Correspondence to Mrs. Zero Thomas from sister, September 4,

1876.

14

5 Correspondence from Carrie Peterson to Winnie Thomas, Zero’s

second wife, September 18, 1876.

Correspondence from Rachel Corbin, Winnies mother, to Winnie

Thomas, June 6, 1877.

Correspondence from Rachel Corbin to Winnie Thomas,

November 2, 1877.

Correspondence from W.S. Johnson to Zero Thomas, February 9,

1878.

Correspondence from Joie Parrott to Mrs. Zero Thomas, June 8,

1878 or 1879.

Correspondence from Mrs.G.G. Green to Mrs. Zero Thomas, July

18, 1879.

Correspondence from Ezekiel Cooper to Zero Thomas, November

14, 1879.

Correspondence from Ezekiel Cooper to Zero Thomas, February

19, 1880.

Correspondence from Brightwill Pines to Zero Thomas and son,

March 7, 1882.

Correspondence from Winnie Thomas to Zero Thomas, January

29, 1890.

6 Correspondence from Daniel Thomas to Zero Thomas, April 9,

1890.

Correspondence from Winnie Thomas to Zero Thomas, April 18,

1890.

Correspondence from Daniel Thomas to Zero Thomas, May 9,

1890.

Correspondence from Winnie Thomas to Zero Thomas, October

2, 1890.

Correspondence from Winnie Thomas to Zero Thomas, October

9, 1890.

Correspondence from Daniel Thomas to Zero Thomas, October 3,

1890.

Correspondence from Winnie Thomas to Zero Thomas,

November 3, 1890.

Correspondence from Daniel Thomas to Zero Thomas, November

19, 1890.

Correspondence from Zero Thomas Jr. to Zero Thomas, May 18,

1891.

Correspondence from Daniel to Zero Thomas, June 2, 1891.

7 Correspondence from Daniel Thomas to Zero Thomas, June 10,

15

1891. (re: corn crop) includes corn husk.

Correspondence from James Thomas and Jamie Thomas (James’

wife) to Zero Thomas and Family, January 5, 1903.

Correspondence from S. Greenfield to Zero Thomas, October 13,

1911.

Correspondence from Alonzo Smith to Zero Thomas, January 13,

1911.

Correspondence from Alonzo Smith to Zero Thomas, March 14,

1911.

Copy of will of Rose, “To Whom it May Concern”, August 23,

1925.

Correspondence to Anita Shelbourne from Judy (Anita’s sister),

August 19, 1949.

8 Series III: Personal Papers

“Rules and Regulations of the Mutual Relief Association of

Petaluma”, January 1, 1878.

Receipt for $4 from Zero Thomas to Sam Wilson (road tax), May

13, 1879

Bill and receipt to Zero Thomas for $10, Feb 28,1883.

Scrap of bill from H. Hanrad to Mr. Thomas, June 19, 1883.

Receipt for $1.90 from Spring Valley Water Works to Zero

Thomas, December 29, 1884.

Receipt for $1.90 from Spring Valley Water Woks to Zero

Thomas, June 1885.

Job reference from Trowhidge, Jr. to Zero Thomas, February 5,

1890.

Letter of job possibility from C.H. Fitch to Zero Thomas, March

29, 1890.

Letter of monthly pay from C.H. Fitch to Zero Thomas,

December 26, 1890.

Deed search from Office of F.A. Rouleau, August 1892.

Letter about property line from A. Ludorff to Zero Thomas, April

8, 1893.

Mortgage made by Zero Thomas, The Hibernia Savings and Loan

Society, July 29, 1989.

Renweal Statement, Hibernia Savings and Loan Society, Zero

Thomas, August 16, 1898.

Promissory Note from Zero Thomas to Hibernia Savings and

Loan Society for $350, July 10, 1903.

Promissory Note from Zero Thomas to Hibernia Savings and

16

Loan Society, July 10, 1903.

Job reference from H.C. Hasbrouck to Zero Thomas, August 22,

1903.

Envelope addressed to “To Whom it May Concern” from

Department of Commerce and Labor, job reference for Zero

Thomas, September 22, 1906.

Job Reference from Endicott Gardener re: Zero Thomas,

September 22, 1906.

Envelope carrying dismissed mortgage, from Commissioner-

General of Immigration, Treasury Department.

Receipt for $20 from Mr. Thomas to H. Hanrad, November 16, no

year

Blank form of the Hibernia Savings Loan Society, no date.

9 General Ledger of Zero Thomas (copy)

10 Series IV: Family Papers

Envelope from J.J. O’Brien & Co. to Miss Charlton, June 22,

1893.

Certificate of Promotion, Winfield Scott School, for Winnie

Thomas, May, 1893.

Certificate of Promotion, Winfield Scott School, for Mabel

Thomas, June 1895.

Certificate of Promotion, Winfield Scott School, for Mabel

Thomas, June 1896.

Death certificate for Daniel Thomas, to Mabel Jones, October 23,

1928.

Receipt from Lane and Stanford University Hospitals to mother

of James Jones, Mabel Jones, October 16, 1936.

Designation of Beneficiary, for purposes of the U.S. Service

Commission for Mabel Jones, March 20, 1936.

Approval of claim for annuity for medical reasons, from U.S.

Civil Service Commission to Mabel Jones, March 27, 1937.

Letter of Acknowledging the return of a life insurance policy,

from U.S. Civil Service Commission to Mabel Jones, June 14,

1937.

Business card, Zero Thomas, Jr., pharmacist.

Reward of Merit, Public Schools of San Francisco to R. Thomas.

11 Zero Thomas Family Chart.

12 Poems by Lillian Raymond

13 Series V: Church Papers

Mortgage papers of the First Colored Baptist Church, payable to

17

Odd-Fellows Savings Bank, $12,000, April 19, 1872.


Franco-American Savings Bank, $1700, May 1, 1878.


A. Denegri, $1500, March 29, 1881.

Letter of Release of Mortgage between A. Denegri and First

Baptist Church, April 6, 1886.

Estimate from R. Zelinsky to Third Colored Baptist Church,

$374.

Statement from Joe DeHaven to Third Baptist Church, June 8,

1900.

14 Series VI: Miscellaneous Papers

Constitution and By-laws of the Afro-American Co-operative

Association, February 13, 1901.

Invoice from Western Outlook Publishing Co. to Afro-American

League, $1.50, September 16, 1904.

Receipt for $2.00 from Sunshine Publishing to Afro-American

League, September 16, 1904.

Statement from H.T. Bonnalie to J.C. Rivers, President of Afro-

American League, September 16, 1904.

Pouch for carrying insurance Policy, Metropolitan Life Insurance

Company.

Business card, Robert Mayers, Jewelry Importer.

15 New Bayview newspaper, Volume 18, No. 11, June 4, 1993.

16 San Francisco Chronicle article regarding Zero Thomas

Collection, February 10, 1997.

Series VII: Oral Histories

17 Copy of oral history of Alma Thomas Brooks, July 1, 1993.

18 Copy of oral history of Lillian Raymond, July 1, 1993.

Oversize Documents

O.S.

Range

14x18

Folder

Zero’s Marriage License to Minnie Corbin in July 6, 1876

[Series III: Family Papers]

Photocopy of news article from the San Francisco

Examiner, dated 16 August 1898 about Zero’s son, Daniel

Thomas, being mobbed by the Tennessee regiment in San

Francisco near the Presidio. [Series VI: Miscellaneous

Papers]